Thursday, July 30, 2009

1Co 1:26-27 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

There may be many reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But don't worry, we're in good company: Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. ... Jesus was too poor. Abraham was too old. ... David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. ... Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. ... So was Moses. ... So was David. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worrywart. Mary was lazy. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. Moses had a short fuse? ... So did Peter, ... So did Paul.

But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Father than our Boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be wonderful.

Satan says "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM."Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did "back then". It's not even on the record anymore. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are in love with him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.

I pray that as Christians, we will step out of our limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to tell others about Him will overcome our limitations.